Method for inspecting prints

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an automatic print inspection method in which photographic prints are scanned to obtain digitized images. The scanned digitized image of the photographic print is compared to digital image data which represents the original captured image. The resulting digital correction data indicates whether or not there are defects in the print media or faults in the printer process, including the digitizing steps. Signal processing transformations may be used to decide how to separate media defects from processing faults and how to correct for the latter. The method of the present invention can be used as a final quality check so that any defective prints can be rejected and remade before orders go out to a customer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic method ofinspecting a finished print such as a photographic print, using digitaldata representative of an image on the print and digital datarepresentative of the original image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During the manufacture of media such as photographic paper,defects can occur on the media. Manufactured media can be inspected on amaster roll before it is slit into finished rolls at a manufacturingsite or can be manually inspected at a photofinishing or printing siteby inspecting completed prints. It is noted that defects in the mediamade at manufacture will show up on completed prints in the form ofdefects in the images, and consequently, these defective prints have tobe manually removed and reprinted to provide for a corrected image. Theinspection of a master roll at a manufacturing site will detectmanufacturing defects, but cannot detect defects that are introducedlater in slitting, printing or processing operations. Manual inspectionof the finished prints at a photofinishing site may detect the abovedefects, but it is time consuming and inefficient, and depends on thereliability of an operator.

[0003] Conventional digital imaging systems utilize digital data andspecifically, digital images on a screen, for the purposes ofmanipulating the image or blending multiple images. However,conventional digital imaging systems do not provide for an automaticprint inspection method which can be utilized as a final product qualitycheck to detect defective finished prints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Digital originals are replacing film negatives in commercialprint processing. The availability of digital originals affords anopportunity to automate final product inspection.

[0005] The present invention provides for a method of inspecting aphotographic print which comprises the steps of scanning an exposedphotographic film to convert an image captured on the film to firstdigital image data representative of the captured image; processing thefirst digital image data for rendering as a first photographic print ofthe image; printing the captured image as a first photographic print ofthe image based on the first digital image data; scanning the firstphotographic print to convert the captured image on the firstphotographic print to second digital image data representative of theprinted captured image; comparing the first digital image data with thesecond digital image data; identifying differences between the seconddigital image data and the first digital image data which exceed apredetermined threshold to provide for a correction signal indicative ofa required image correction action; reprocessing the first or seconddigital image data in accordance with at least the correction signal forrendering as a second photographic print of the image; and reprintingthe image as a second photographic print based on the reprocessed firstor second digital image data.

[0006] The present invention further provides for an image inspectionmethod which comprises the steps of processing first digital image datarepresentative of an original image to render the original image as afirst print; printing the original image as the first print; scanningthe first print to convert the original image on the first print tosecond digital image data; comparing the second digital image data tothe first digital image data; identifying differences between the seconddigital image data and the first digital image data which exceed apredetermined threshold to provide for a correction signal indicative ofa required image correction action; reprocessing the first or seconddigital image data in accordance with at least the correction signal forrendering as a second print of the original image; and reprinting theoriginal image as a second print based on the reprocessed first orsecond digital image data.

[0007] The present invention further provides for a method of inspectinga photographic print which comprises the steps of scanning an exposedphotographic film to convert an image captured on the film to firstdigital image data representative of the captured image; processing thefirst digital image data for rendering as a first photographic print ofthe image; printing the captured image on media so as to provide for afirst photographic print of the image based on the first digital imagedata; scanning the first photographic print to convert the capturedimage on the first photographic print to second digital image datarepresentative of the printed captured image; comparing the firstdigital image data with the second digital image data; identifyingdifferences between the second digital image data and the first digitalimage data which exceed a predetermined threshold algorithmrepresentative of a defect in the media; reprocessing the first orsecond digital image data to correct the defect; and reprinting theimage as a second photographic print based on the reprocessed first orsecond digital image data to replace the first photographic print.

[0008] The present invention further relates to an image inspectionmethod which comprises the step of processing first digital image datarepresentative of an original image to render the original image as afirst photographic print; printing the original image on media as afirst photographic print; scanning the first photographic print toconvert the original image on the first photographic print to seconddigital image data; comparing the second digital image data to the firstdigital image data; identifying differences between the second digitalimage data and the first digital image data which exceed a predeterminedthreshold algorithm representative of a defect in the media;reprocessing the first or second digital image data to correct thedefect; and reprinting the image as a second photographic print based onthe reprocessed first or second digital image data to replace the firstphotographic print.

[0009] The present invention further relates to a method of inspecting aphotographic print which comprises the steps of digitally processingfirst digital image data representative of an original image to renderthe original image as a first photographic print; printing the originalimage as a first photographic print; scanning the first photographicprint to convert the original image on the first photographic print tosecond digital image data; comparing the second digital image data tothe first digital image data; identifying differences between the seconddigital image data and the first digital image data which exceed apredetermined threshold representative of an error in the digitalprocessing step; adjusting the digital processing step to compensate forthe error, digitally reprocessing the first or second digital image datain accordance with the adjusting step for rendering as a secondphotographic print of the image; and reprinting the image as a secondphotographic print based on the reprocessed first or second digitalimage data.

[0010] The present invention further relates to a method of inspecting aphotographic print which comprises the steps of digitally processingfirst digital image data representative of an original image to renderthe original image as a first photographic print; printing the originalimage as a first photographic print; scanning the first photographicprint to convert the original image on the first photographic print tosecond digital image data; comparing the second digital image data tothe first digital image data; identifying differences between the seconddigital image data and the first digital image data which exceed apredetermined threshold representative of an error in the printing step;adjusting the printing step to compensate for the error; and reprintingthe image as a second photographic print after the adjusting step hasbeen put into effect.

[0011] The present invention further relates to a method of inspecting aphotographic print which comprises the steps of digitally processingfirst digital image data representative of an original image to renderthe original image as a first photographic print; rendering the originalimage as a latent image; chemically developing the latent image toprovide for a first photographic print; scanning the first photographicprint to convert the image on the first photographic print to seconddigital image data; comparing the second digital image data to the firstdigital image data; identifying differences between the second digitalimage data and the first digital image data which exceed a predeterminedthreshold representative of an error in the chemical development step;adjusting the chemical development step to compensate for the error; andreprinting the image as a second photographic print based on theadjustment step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the system in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a flow chart detailing features of the system and methodof the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a further flow chart detailing the image comparisonprocedure in accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIGS. 4a-4 c schematically illustrate the use of the system andmethod of the present invention to detect and correct large defects inan image;

[0016]FIGS. 5a-5 c illustrate the use of the system and method of thepresent invention to detect and correct a small defect in an image; and

[0017]FIGS. 6a-6 c is further example of the utilization of the systemof the present invention with respect to detecting and correcting adefect in an image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the overall system in accordance withthe system and method of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, themethod of the present invention can accept at least two inputs. Oneinput can be in the form of, for example, exposed film and isrepresented by reference numeral 5. For a film input, the film issupplied to a scanner 9 which scans the exposed original images on thefilm to create first digital image data representative of the originalimage on the film. A printer 11 can include software to process thefirst digital image data for rendering as a first photographic print. Ofcourse, the present invention is not limited to the printer havingsoftware as noted above and the software can be provided within scanner9 as opposed to printer 11.

[0019] As also shown in FIG. 1, the input could be in the form of adigital input represented by numeral 7. The digital image wouldrepresent an original captured image and is defined as the first digitalimage data. In this case, the first digital image data is provideddirectly to printer 11, where the first digital image data is processedto render the first digital image data as a first photographic printrepresentative of the original image.

[0020] Regardless of whether the input is film (ref. No. 5) or digital(ref. No. 7), after the first photographic print is created and printedby printer 11, the first photographic print is scanned by way of asecond scanner 16 or conveyed back to first scanner 9 to scan the firstphotographic print. More specifically, in the method of the presentinvention, there is a scan of the first photographic print which iscreated based on the first digital image data that is either providedvia input 5 or input 7. This scan of the first photographic printprovides for second digital image data representative of the scannedphotographic print.

[0021] As a further option, in the event that printer 11 is part of asilver halide system, the first digital image data is provided as alatent image onto photographic paper, and the photographic paper goesthrough a chemical or photographic processor 14 for processing anddevelopment of the image to create the first photographic print. Afterprocessing, the first photographic print is scanned by scanner 16 oroptionally scanner 9 to provide for the second digital image data.

[0022] In a method of the present invention, the first digital imagedata is representative of the original input data, and the seconddigital image data is representative of the scanned first photographicprint. The first digital image data and the second digital image dataare then compared to each other at a comparison station 18. Comparisonstation 18 could be part of a scanner, printer or standalone computer.

[0023] Comparison station 18 is adapted to identify differences betweenthe second digital image data and the first digital image data whichexceed a predetermined threshold or algorithm to provide for acorrection signal indicative of a required image correction action,processing correction action or printing correction action. The natureof the correction signal will determine which correction action needs tobe taken. If the correction signal format indicates that an imagecorrection is required, the print is remade by feeding the first digitalimage data to printer 11. If the correction signal format indicates thata processing or printing correction action is required, this action isapplied to printer 11, processor 14 or scanners 9 or 16, after which thefirst digital image data are reprocessed, rerendered and reprinted. Allactions result in the creation of a second photographic or final print20 to replace the first print.

[0024] With respect to the concept of identifying differences whichexceed a predetermined threshold or algorithm, these differences canrepresent defects in the original media or paper which show up on afinished photographic print or operational defects in equipment such asthe scanner or printer, which result in the defects on the print. Byidentifying the differences between the first and second digital imagedata, the printer or other equipment can be operated to compensate foror correct these differences.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 2, an overview of the method of thepresent invention will now be described taking into account thedifferent embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the method of the present invention includesan initial step 100 in which an original digital image (input 7) issupplied to printer 11, or a scanned image from film (input 5) issupplied to printer 11. This digital data is defined as first digitalimage data representative of the original captured image. In step 102,the first digital image data is processed or rendered for printing byway of printer 11. Thereafter, the original captured image representedby the first digital image data is printed (step 104). If the media issilver halide, the image can undergo a development or chemicaldevelopment process by way of photographic processor 14 (FIG. 1), (step106).

[0027] The result of the above steps is a first photographic printrepresentative of the first digital image data. In step 108, the firstphotographic print is scanned to provide for second digital image datarepresentative of the scanned photographic print. In step 110, the firstdigital image data obtained in step 100 is compared with the seconddigital image data obtained in step 108. If the difference between thefirst digital image data and the second digital image data is below apredetermined threshold or algorithm, or is within an acceptable range,then the first photographic print is considered acceptable and free ofdefects. Accordingly, based on this the inspection process wouldterminate (steps 118 or 120).

[0028] More specifically, if the process is concerned with handling ofprints, the process would follow a print handling logic procedure andthus, there would be a check to see if the first photographic printmeets a specific quality criteria (step 114). This quality criteriawould be a comparison between the first digital image data and thesecond digital image data to determine if the differences exceed apredetermined threshold or are outside of an acceptable range. If theydo not exceed a predetermined threshold or are within an acceptablerange, then it is determined that the output print does meet apredetermined quality criteria and the process is stopped at step 118.If the differences between the first digital image data and the seconddigital image data exceed a predetermined threshold or are outside apredetermined range, then it is apparent that the paper or printincludes a defect or there is an error in the processing for renderingof the print. In this situation, the answer to step 114 would be no, andthe process would proceed to step 128 where it is determined whether itis desired to reprocess or rerender the image in view of the noteddefect. If it is desired to reprocess the image, the process proceedsback to step 102 where the first or second digital image data isreprocessed for rerendering as a second photographic print to replacethe first photographic print. In reprocessing the first or seconddigital image data, information with respect to the results of step 114is taken into account. That is, as a result of step 114, it isdetermined if any corrective action needs to be taken with respect tothe digital image processing in step 102 to compensate for the error ordefect. In that regard, the rerendering of the first or second digitalimage data compensates for the defects found in step 114 for rerenderingthe first or second digital image data as a second photographic print.

[0029] In some cases the defect may simply have been caused by defectivemedia and the process of reprinting the second digital image data ondifferent media corrects the noted defect. Thereafter, the image isprinted again as a second photographic print to replace the firstphotographic print. At this point, the process could end, with thesecond photographic print replacing the first photographic print.However, if it is desired to be absolutely certain that the secondphotographic print corrects the errors noted in step 114, the system canproceed as before in that the second photographic print can be scannedto provide for third digital image data representative of the secondphotographic print. This third digital image data is thereafter comparedto the first digital image data, and if the system has worked properly,should provide a yes answer to step 114, for ending the process. Thus,the system and method of the present invention provides for an automaticand efficient way of detecting defects in the media.

[0030] When it is desired to use the method of the invention to checkthe processing equipment and process parameters, the method will includestep 116. In this usage, a different set of measures and qualitycriteria would likely be used to assess gradual changes in the processperformance of the digital, printing, and optionally photo-processingsteps. The desired result is a feedback mechanism for process control,and subsequent prevention of defects due to deviation from optimalprocess performance. Therefore, the result of the comparison step 110can be used as an indication that process parameters such as those inthe chemical development process may be responsible for the qualitychange and needs to be adjusted. That is, if the differences exceed apredetermined threshold or are outside of an acceptable range so as toconclude that the first photographic print does not meet a qualityoutput criteria, the answer to step 116 is yes, and the method proceedsto any of steps 122, 124 or 126 to determine whether any of digitalprocessing step 102, printing step 104 or chemical development processstep 106 need to be adjusted to compensate for the quality changediscovered in step 116. At that point, the system proceeds to steps 130,132, and/or 134 to adjust the appropriate processes.

[0031] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the process of the presentinvention can follow a print handling logic which relates toreprocessing or reprinting to compensate for any defects found in step114, or a process feedback logic which relates to at least adjusting thechemical development step, the printing step and/or the digital imageprocessing step to compensate for quality changes found in step 116.

[0032] With reference to image comparison step 110 as illustrated inFIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows an example of the type of analysis which can takeplace. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, step 200 represents thefirst digital image data which is obtained as a result of the originaldigital image or a digital scan of the original image from the customer.Reference numeral 202 represents the second digital image data which isa result of scanning the first photographic print which includes theoriginal image. At steps 204 and 206, the first digital image data andthe second digital image data are processed so as to permit a comparisonbetween the first digital image data and the second digital image data.At step 208, the first digital image data and the second digital imagedata are compared and as a result, image differences are computed. Forexample, the comparison could take the form of a subtraction or a ratioanalysis. After the differences between the first digital image data andthe second digital image data is computed at step 208, an image postprocessing step (210) occurs for the purposes of preparing the imagedata for quantification. At step 212, there is a quantification of theimage differences into similarity measures, and in step 214, thesimilarity measures are compared with desired ranges. That is, thedesired ranges represent those ranges which provide for a print thatmeets output quality criteria.

[0033] In step 216 it is determined whether these measures are outsidethe desired ranges or exceed an acceptable threshold. If they areoutside the desired ranges or exceed an acceptable threshold, there is adefect in either the media, the equipment, or the processing, andcorrective action is taken (step 218). This corrective action could bein the form of a reprint, a reprocess or a rerendering (steps 102 and104 as noted in FIG. 2), or an adjustment of the digital processing, theprinting process or the photoprocessing (steps 126, 124 and 122 of FIG.2). If the measures are within the desired ranges or below an acceptablethreshold, then no further corrective action is needed and the processis terminated (step 220).

[0034] With respect to examples of similarity measures that are comparedwithin the context of the present invention, this could be achieved inmany forms. First, it is noted that all of the similarity measures whichwill be described, can be performed on the individual red, green andblue color planes or in some combination of them.

[0035] A first similarity measure could be a global/regional measure. Inthis type of measure, the first digital image data and the seconddigital image data can be compared with respect to the measurement oftheir color/density shifts. If the differences between the first digitalimage data and the second digital image data with respect tocolor/density shifts are outside a desired range or exceed an acceptablethreshold, the feedback to reprocess or rerender could involveinstructions to adjust the photoprocessing, the image processing, orprinting to compensate for any shifts in color/density. At that point,the appropriate process or processes is/are adjusted and the image isreprinted as a second photographic print to replace the firstphotographic print. Further examples of global/regional measures includea standard deviation of the pixel values of the image or image regions,a summation of the pixel values of the image or image regions, or acomputation of the mean of the image or image regions. Morespecifically, with respect to the pixel values, the comparing step couldtake the form of the comparison of pixel values in the first digitalimage data with corresponding pixel values in the second digital imagedata. At that point, a deviation between the pixel values in the firstdigital image data and the corresponding pixel values in the seconddigital image data which exceed a predetermined amount or are outside ofan acceptable range can be identified, and such information can be usedto adjust the processing or printing to compensate for the differences.

[0036] A further example of a similarity measure includes row/columnmeasures. Under this approach, streaks or scratches can be detected andadditionally, printing/raster anomalies, for example, in a laserprinting engine, can be measured. The feedback from such a measurementcan be used to adjust the scanning or the digitizing of the image, thephotoprocessing or the printing. More specifically, if a row/columnmeasurement procedure is used, and the result is such that themeasurement is outside of a desired range, it could be an indicationthat there are streaks or scratches in the first photographic print andtherefore, the appropriate process is adjusted and/or the image isreprinted as a second photographic print to compensate for the defect.

[0037] Further examples of measurements with respect to row/columnmeasurements could include the standard deviation profile of pixel rowsand columns of the image or imager regions; the sum profiles of pixelrows and columns of the image or imager regions; or the mean profiles ofpixel rows and columns of the image or imager regions.

[0038] A third type of similarity measure involves local/spotmeasurements. Local/spot measurements enable the detection of localizeddefects such as manufacturing defects, small scrapes/scratches, spots,etc. If as a result of the measurement process it is determined that themeasures are outside a desired range or exceed a predeterminedthreshold, the feedback to the process could be to adjust the printingand reprint the image. Examples of local/spot measures could involvethresholding the image into a binary image and the use of particleanalysis methods to detect and quantify spot defects. This further canbe augmented with color or gray scale measures for detected particles.

[0039]FIGS. 4a-4 c, 5 a-5 c and 6 a-6 c illustrate examples of detecteddefects and images within the context of the present invention. Firstwith reference to FIG. 4a, an original input 300 with an original image306 can be provided as an original digital image or scanned from film.The first digital image data as discussed would correspond to originalimage 306. When original image 306 is printed, a first photographicprint 302 including image 306 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4b,photographic print 302 also includes a large defect 308 which may havebeen caused due to a defect in the media, the processing or theequipment. A scan of photographic print 302 will provide for seconddigital image data which corresponds to image 306 and defect 308. Whenthe second digital image data is compared with the first digital imagedata which represents image 306 in FIG. 4a, the difference between thetwo would provide for image 304 (FIG. 4c) which would include onlydefect 308. Thus, the process would be adjusted or redone to compensatefor defect 308 and remove the same.

[0040] The present invention can also be applied to smaller defects byadjusting the desired range or threshold which the operator will use todetect what is an acceptable print or an unacceptable print. As anexample, reference numeral 400 illustrates an original input havingimage 406. Thus, the first digital image data would correspond tooriginal image 406. Original image 406 is then printed to provide forfirst photographic print 402. First photographic print 402 as shown inFIG. 5b, includes a small defect 408 which may have been caused by adefect in the media, the processing or the equipment. When firstphotographic print 402 is scanned, the second digital image data wouldcorrespond to image 406 and defect 408. When the second digital imagedata is compared with the first digital image data, the difference 404shown in FIG. 5c would be defect 408. With the system of the presentinvention, the printing and/or processing can be adjusted or redone tocorrect or compensate for the difference and provide for a secondphotographic print to replace the first photographic print 402 andeliminate defect 408.

[0041] In FIGS. 6a-6 c, it is shown that the method of the presentinvention can used to correct for color defects. More specifically,reference numeral 500 in FIG. 6a represents an input with an originalimage 506. Thus, the first digital image data would correspond to image506. This first digital image data is accordingly printed as a firstphotographic print 502 (FIG. 6b) having image 508 thereon. Due to adefect in the media, the processing or the equipment, image 508 in firstphotographic print 502 includes a color which is different from thecolor of original image 506. This is represented by reference numeral508. When the first photographic print 502 is scanned, the seconddigital image data corresponding to the scanned photographic print 502is compared to the original digital image data or the first digitalimage data of image 506. The difference 504 is illustrated. At thispoint, processing can be adjusted or redone to correct or compensate forthis defect and provide for a second photographic print to replace thefirst photographic print.

[0042] Therefore, the present invention provides for an automatic methodfor inspecting photographic finished prints in which the photographicprints are scanned to obtain digitized finished images which arecompared with digital data which represent the originally capturedimage. Using machine vision of the digitized images, the images arecompared with each other. Signal processing transformations arethereafter used if necessary to adjust for differences in, for example,illumination type, color gamut, image capture source and othersystematic differences between the original image and the scanned image.The automatic inspection method of the present invention can includetemplate matching, where two corresponding digital images are overlayedand any discrepancy between the original and the print can be easilydetected. Other methods may be incorporated to quantify the similarityof the images with respect these discrepancies.

[0043] The method of the present invention can be utilized as a finalproduct quality check, so that any defective prints can be rejected andremade before orders go out to a customer. As a consequence of theinspection, any incoming paper imperfections will be caught, faultsintroduced by the paper finishing operation will be detected, andprinter/processing machine performance can be tracked. Benefits of themethod of the present invention involves the elimination of humaninspection in picture processing, the ability to tolerate some incomingpaper defects and the detection of defects caused by the printingprocess itself That is, the method of the present invention permits theuse of media having minor defects which do not show up in a finishedprint.

[0044] Therefore, with the method of the present invention, it ispossible to evaluate the prints for characteristic defects, and it isalso possible to monitor and/or control printer functions, such asexposure of color settings, based on the comparison of the digitalimages. The method also enables an automatic monitoring and/or controlof processing chemistry by measuring its effect on a final image, andfurther, permits the monitoring and/or control of physical defectsintroduced by the processing. The method of the present invention alsoenables the monitoring and/or control of physical defects introduced bythe printer and also permits the detection of incoming paper defects.The method of the present invention also permits an automatic submissionof a reprint order for a print based on finished print quality criteria.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described with referenceto photographic prints, the invention is not limited thereto. The methodof the present invention is also applicable to other imaging andprinting fields where it is beneficial to inspect a printed image fordefects (for example, medical imaging and large scale printing). In thepresent invention, original information that is digital or can beconverted to digital by scanning or sampling is characterized as anoriginal file. This file gets copied to another media, where it iseither already in digital form or can be converted back to a digitalfile format. This can be characterized as a copied file. The new mediaand the copying process may introduce alterations to the copied filewhich make it different from the original file. In accordance with themethod of the present invention, these differences can be quantified bydigitally comparing the original file with the copied file. This methodis applicable to imaging and printing areas where there is a need toquantify how well copies represent the original.

[0046] The invention has been described in detail with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will beunderstood that variations and modifications can be effected within thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of inspecting a photographic print, themethod comprising the steps of: scanning an exposed photographic film toconvert an image captured on the film to first digital image datarepresentative of the captured image; processing the first digital imagedata for rendering as a first photographic print of said image; printingthe captured image as a first photographic print of said image based onsaid first digital image data; scanning the first photographic print toconvert the captured image on the first photographic print to seconddigital image data representative of the printed captured image;comparing the first digital image data with the second digital imagedata; identifying differences between the second digital image data andthe first digital image data which exceed a predetermined threshold toprovide for a correction signal indicative of a required imagecorrection action; reprocessing the first or second digital image datain accordance with at least said correction signal for rendering as asecond photographic print of said image; and reprinting said image as asecond photographic print based on said reprocessed first or seconddigital image data.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein: saidcomparing step comprises comparing pixel values in said first digitalimage data and corresponding pixel values in said second digital imagedata; and said identifying step comprises identifying a deviationbetween the pixel values in said first digital image data and thecorresponding pixel values in said second digital image data whichexceed a predetermined amount.
 3. A method according to claim 1,wherein: said comparing step comprises comparing pixel rows and columnsin said first digital image data with corresponding pixel rows andcolumns in said second digital image data; and said identifying stepcomprises identifying a deviation between the pixel rows and columns insaid first digital image data and the corresponding pixel rows andcolumns in said second digital image data which exceeds a predeterminedamount.
 4. An image inspection method comprising the steps of:processing first digital image data representative of an original imageto render said original image as a first print; printing said originalimage as said first print; scanning said first print to convert theoriginal image on said first print to second digital image data;comparing said second digital image data to said first digital imagedata; identifying differences between the second digital image data andthe first digital image data which exceed a predetermined threshold toprovide for a correction signal indicative of a required imagecorrection action; reprocessing the first or second digital image datain accordance with at least said correction signal for rendering as asecond print of said original image; and reprinting said original imageas a second print based on said reprocessed first or second digitalimage data.
 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein: said comparingstep comprises comparing pixel values in said first digital image dataand corresponding pixel values in said second digital image data; andsaid identifying step comprises identifying a deviation between thepixel values in said first digital image data and the correspondingpixel values in said second digital image data which exceed apredetermined amount.
 6. A method according to claim 4, wherein: saidcomparing step comprises comparing pixel rows and columns in said firstdigital image data with corresponding pixel rows and columns in saidsecond digital image data; and said identifying step comprisesidentifying a deviation between the pixel rows and columns in said firstdigital image data and the corresponding pixel rows and columns in saidsecond digital image data which exceeds a predetermined amount.
 7. Amethod of inspecting a photographic print, the method comprising thesteps of: scanning an exposed photographic film to convert an imagecaptured on the film to first digital image data representative of thecaptured image; processing the first digital image data for rendering asa first photographic print of said image; printing the captured image onmedia so as to provide for a first photographic print of said imagebased on said first digital image data; scanning the first photographicprint to convert the captured image on the first photographic print tosecond digital image data representative of the printed captured image;comparing the first digital image data with the second digital imagedata; identifying differences between the second digital image data andthe first digital image data which exceed a predetermined thresholdalgorithm representative of a defect in the media; reprocessing thefirst or second digital image data to correct for said defect; andreprinting said image as a second photographic print based on saidreprocessed first or second digital image data to replace said firstphotographic print.
 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein: saidcomparing step comprises comparing pixel values in said first digitalimage data and corresponding pixel values in said second digital imagedata; and said identifying step comprises identifying a deviationbetween the pixel values in said first digital image data and thecorresponding pixel values in said second digital image data whichexceed a predetermined amount.
 9. A method according to claim 7,wherein: said comparing step comprises comparing pixel rows and columnsin said first digital image data with corresponding pixel rows andcolumns in said second digital image data; and said identifying stepcomprises identifying a deviation between the pixel rows and columns insaid first digital image data and the corresponding pixel rows andcolumns in said second digital image data which exceeds a predeterminedamount.
 10. An image inspection method comprising the steps of:processing first digital image data representative of an original imageto render said original image as a first photographic print; printingsaid original image on media as said first photographic print; scanningsaid first photographic print to convert the original image on saidfirst photographic print to second digital image data; comparing saidsecond digital image data to said first digital image data; identifyingdifferences between the second digital image data and the first digitalimage data which exceed a predetermined threshold algorithmrepresentative of a defect in the media; reprocessing the first orsecond digital image data to correct said defect; and reprinting saidimage as a second photographic print based on said reprocessed first orsecond digital image data to replace said first photographic print. 11.A method according to claim 10, wherein: said comparing step comprisescomparing pixel values in said first digital image data andcorresponding pixel values in said second digital image data; and saididentifying step comprises identifying a deviation between the pixelvalues in said first digital image data and the corresponding pixelvalues in said second digital image data which exceed a predeterminedamount.
 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein: said comparing stepcomprises comparing pixel rows and columns in said first digital imagedata with corresponding pixel rows and columns in said second digitalimage data; and said identifying step comprises identifying a deviationbetween the pixel rows and columns in said first digital image data andthe corresponding pixel rows and columns in said second digital imagedata which exceeds a predetermined amount.
 13. A method of inspecting aphotographic print, the method comprising the steps of: digitallyprocessing first digital image data representative of an original imageto render said original image as a first photographic print; printingsaid original image as said first photographic print; scanning saidfirst photographic print to convert the original image on said firstphotographic print to second digital image data; comparing said seconddigital image data to said first digital image data; identifyingdifferences between the second digital image data and the first digitalimage data which exceed a predetermined threshold representative of anerror in said digital processing step; adjusting said digital processingstep to compensate for said error; digitally reprocessing the first orsecond digital image data in accordance with said adjusting step forrendering as a second photographic print of said image; and reprintingsaid image as a second photographic print based on said reprocessedfirst or second digital image data.
 14. A method according to claim 13,comprising the further step of printing subsequent images based inaccordance with adjustments made at said adjustment step.
 15. A methodof inspecting a photographic print, the method comprising the steps of:digitally processing first digital image data representative of anoriginal image to render said original image as a first photographicprint; printing said original image as said first photographic print;scanning said first photographic print to convert the original image onsaid first photographic print to second digital image data; comparingsaid second digital image data to said first digital image data;identifying differences between the second digital image data and thefirst digital image data which exceed a predetermined thresholdrepresentative of an error in said printing step; adjusting saidprinting step to compensate for said error; and reprinting said image asa second photographic print based on said adjustment step.
 16. A methodaccording to claim 15, comprising the further step of printingsubsequent images in accordance with adjustments made in said adjustingstep.
 17. A method of inspecting a photographic print, the methodcomprising the steps of: digitally processing first digital image datarepresentative of an original image to render said original image as afirst photographic print; printing said original image as a latentimage; chemically developing said latent image to provide for a firstphotographic print; scanning said first photographic print to convertthe original image on said first photographic print to second digitalimage data; comparing said second digital image data to said firstdigital image data; identifying differences between the second digitalimage data and the first digital image data which exceed a predeterminedthreshold representative of an error in said chemical development step;adjusting said chemical development step to compensate for said error;and reprinting said image as a second photographic print based on saidadjustment step.
 18. A method according to claim 17, comprising thefurther step of printing subsequent images in accordance withadjustments made in said adjusting step.